NYSWYSA Member Club/Years (Dates) of Participation: Webster Soccer Association 1975 – 1983 (Webster Cherokees U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 & U-19)
National & Professional Experience:
US National Team (1984 – 1995: 44 Caps)
- 1988 Olympic Team – Seoul, Korea
- 1990 World Cup Team – Italy
- 1995 Copa America – Uruguay
Major Indoor Soccer League
- 1987 –1988 Cleveland Force
APLS
- 1989 Albany Capitals
- 1990 Boston Bolts
German Bundesliga Second Division (1991 – 1996)
- 1991 F.C. Energie Cottbus
- 1991 – 1992 F.C. Chemnitz
- 1992 – 1995 F.C. Carl Zeiss Jena
Major League Soccer (MLS) (1996 – 1998) (51 Games)
- 1996 – 1997 Columbus Crew (31 games)
- 1997 NY MetroStars
- 1998 Kansas City Wizards
Accomplishments, Awards Won:
- Three Years Varsity Player @ Webster Schroeder High School
- 1979 – 1983 NYSWYSA Olympic Development Program
- 1983 US National Youth Team Member Traveling to Stalingrad, Russia
- College All American 1985 & 1986
- Member of Southern Connecticut State University Sports Hall of Fame
- Member State of Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame
- National Soccer Hall of Fame Nominee
- Appointed Technical Director of the Columbus Crew of MLS
Education/Coaching Training:
- 1987 Bachelor of Science in Economics – Southern Connecticut State University
- U.S.S.F. A License
Coaching Experience:
1999 – 2000: Head Coach – A League Connecticut Wolves
- Responsible for signing & scouting of players
- Responsible for team training & player development
2000 – July 2006: Assistant Coach – MLS Kansas City Wizards (2000 MLS Cup Champions, 2000 Supporters’ Shield Winners & 2004 US Open Cup Champions)
- Responsible for game analysis
- Responsible for training & development of players & team tactics
- Responsible for scouting of future players domestic & foreign
July 2006 – December 2006: Head Coach – MLS Kansas City Wizards
- Responsible to prepare & train team for league play
- Responsible to develop & implement tactics for game play
- Responsible for scouting & film editing of opponents & Wizards
- Responsible for scouting & evaluation of talent foreign & domestic for acquisition
- Responsible for development of reserve players for the 1st team
- Public appearances at events & with corporate sponsors
February 2007 – January 2008: Director of Coaching – Kansas Youth Soccer Assn.
- Oversee & manage the Olympic Development Program & staff
- Conduct Coaching Education Courses throughout Kansas
- Scout & identify youth talent in the state of Kansas
- Set policy for the State Cup Board to follow & implement
January 2008 – Present: MLS Columbus Crew’s first Technical Director
- Primarily support General Mgr. Mark McCullers, Head Coach Sigi Schmid & senior coaching staff in the management of player-personal matters, player assessment & domestic & international scouting
- Development of the Crew Soccer Academy Program & youth player development curriculum
Personal
Following a 20-year professional playing and coaching career, Brian was appointed the Columbus Crew’s first-ever Technical Director in January of this year, a position he now holds. Welcoming Brian back to the Columbus Crew organization, General Manager Mark McCullers said he was selected because “Brian possesses a well-respected technical mind and shares our vision of a long-term plan to create the most successful player-development program in Major League Soccer. Interfacing with the coaching staffs of both the senior team and youth academy teams, he will be an integral part of a competition staff that is dedicated to achieving the highest possible professional environment for our players and to develop a winning tradition for our fans.”
Brian is a native of Rochester, NY where he began his illustrious playing career with the Webster Soccer Association of the Rochester Area Youth Soccer League. He was coached by his father Ken Bliss, a 2007 selection to the NYSWYSA Hall of Fame. Brian also participated in the Olympic Development Program from 1979-1983 in the U14, U16 & U18 age divisions culminating in his selection to the 1983 US Youth National Team.
Brian currently lives in New Albany, Ohio with his wife Jacki and their two children Jack and Stella.